Rassie van der Dussen calls time on Proteas career after seven years of consistency

The Proteas has bid farewell to one of its most dependable modern-day batters, with Rassie van der Dussen announcing his immediate retirement from international cricket.

The 37-year-old brings the curtain down on a distinguished seven-year career in which he became a cornerstone of the Proteas’ white-ball line-up, earning a reputation for composure, consistency, and quiet leadership.

In a heartfelt statement, Van der Dussen expressed pride and gratitude for a journey that took him from a relatively late international debut to becoming one of South Africa’s most trusted performers.

“To wear the Proteas jersey is a feat that demands resilience and dedication; it both tests and rewards you in the most incredible way. To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life,” he said.

“This journey has been paved with years of sacrifice, but the privilege of representing South Africa has made every moment worthwhile."

Van der Dussen’s connection with the fans also stood out as a defining part of his career, particularly the atmosphere at iconic venues such as the Wanderers. “There is no feeling quite like hearing ‘Maftown’ called out in the streets, or walking out to bat at a packed Wanderers to that deafening roar,” he added.

After making his T20 International debut against Zimbabwe in 2018, he went on to play 57 matches in the shortest format, scoring 1,406 runs at a strike rate of 128.75. He was a key member of the South African squad at the 2021 T20 World Cup.

However, it was in One-Day Internationals where Van der Dussen truly made his mark. A composed 93 on debut against Pakistan in 2019 set the tone for a stellar career in the format. He amassed 2,657 runs in 71 ODIs at an average of over 50, placing him among the most reliable performers in South African cricket history alongside greats such as AB de Villiers.

His ability to deliver on the biggest stages was evident during global tournaments. Van der Dussen represented South Africa at the 2019 and 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, as well as the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. One of his standout moments came in India in 2023, when he struck a superb 133 against New Zealand during the group stage.

In the Test arena, he featured in 18 matches after debuting in 2019, registering six half-centuries, including a career-best 98 against England at his home ground in 2020.

Beyond the numbers, Van der Dussen was widely respected in the dressing room. He captained the Proteas in a T20I series against the West Indies in 2024 and again during a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and New Zealand last year, underlining his value as a senior figure.

Director of National Teams and High Performance, Enoch Nkwe, paid tribute to his influence, describing him as a player who “embodied what it meant to be a Protea” and consistently put the team first.

Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki echoed those sentiments, praising Van der Dussen for delivering in key moments and earning widespread respect across the cricketing world.